Share your thoughts on contemporary fiction with other readers in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
This season our Book Club will be reading
Thur 20 Apr
The Promise by Damon Galgut
293 Pages
The Promise charts the crash and burn of a white South African family. The Swarts are gathering for Ma's funeral. The younger generation, detest everything the family stand for, not least the failed promise to the Black woman who has worked for them her whole life. After years of service, Salome was promised her own house, her own land... yet somehow, as each decade passes, that promise remains unfulfilled.
The narrator's eye shifts and blinks: moving fluidly between characters, flying into their dreams; deliciously lethal in its observation. And as the country moves from old deep divisions to its new so-called fairer society, the lost promise of more than just one family hovers behind the novel's title.
Thur 11 May - The love songs of W.E.B du Bois by Honoré Fanone Jeffers
Thur 15 June - Half of a yellow sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Thur 13 July - The power and the glory by Graham Greene
Thur 10 Aug - The God of small things by Arundhati Roy
Suitable for 18+ years.
Spaces are limited, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Spring
Thur 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 16 Mar, 20 Apr
Summer
Thur 11 May, 15 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug
7.30pm – 9.30pm
£5 per session (includes a glass of wine or soft drink from the bar)
Led by Dr Marta Mathea Radwan
Norden Farm’s Daytime Choir is a fun, friendly, non-auditioned choir for everyone. We learn by ear, so you don’t need music experience. Our music ranges from gospel, world and jazz to pop and classical - anything that sounds great and is a joy to sing. Joining us is a great way to meet people and sing your stress away.
Fri 13 Jan – 10 Feb and Fri 3 Mar – 31 Mar
2pm - 3.30pm
£12 per session | £50 for 5-week course
Suitable for 18+ years
About the tutor
Dr Marta Mathea Radwan is an award-winning vocalist, composer and musical director. Heralding from Poland and with over 30 years' experience in musical performance, Marta conducts choirs around London, including: jazz group Alle Choir London, Offbeat a cappella community choirs in Acton and Richmond, and Singing for Fun groups at Brunel University London.
Led by Kate Hughes
Join Kate Hughes of Kate Hughes Meditation for an hour of mindfulness, designed to promote calm and awareness.
During the session we will explore breathing techniques, different kinds of meditation, and various mindfulness exercises including some gentle movement (this can be adapted to suit all mobility levels).
No experience of meditation or mindfulness is required, and these sessions are suitable for you if you are an absolute beginner or have done some kind of mindfulness practice before.
Please wear comfortable clothing. The session will end with a relaxation exercise and you may wish to bring your own mat and blanket, although these will be provided.
Spring
Fri 27 Jan, 24 Feb, 24 Mar, 28 Apr
7pm – 8pm
£12 per session
Led by Aliona Borysenko
Welcome to the world of embroidery!
This jewellery embroidery workshop is for beginners who are new to embroidery with different materials, as well as those with some experience in embroidery with threads.
During the workshop you will practice different embroidery techniques, which will give you the confidence to create and your own embroidery designs.
Designs for the Spring 2023 workshops TBC
You will be shown how to embroider with materials such as: beads, crystals, sequins, chenille, metallic threads, bugles and other materials. You may choose to decorate your clothes and your children's clothes with the embroidery you create, or you may choose to complete your embroidery into a brooch.
Spring
Sat 25 Feb, Sat 25 Mar, Sat 15 Apr
11am - 4pm
£70 per workshop
Materials and instruments for one Robin will be provided. Participants are very welcome to bring their clothes or that they would like to decorate with.
About Aliona Borysenko:
Aliona came from Ukraine where she taught at a leading Jewellery Design School. She began sharing her knowledges in workshops and courses 12 years ago. Whilst in Ukraine, she has worked with Swarovski and Preciosa and has created designs for the likes of Coca Cola, Schwarzkopf, L’Oréal and Windows to name a few. Aliona is exited to offer embroidery workshops for beginners at Norden Farm. She also works within schools and runs workshops for children.
Led by Kayleigh Robinson.
Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.
Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.
You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.
Wed 29 Mar Puzzle Piece Art
Wed 5 Apr Easter Egg Decorating
Wed 12 Apr Miniature Garden
Wed 19 Apr Collage
Wed 26 Apr Ceramic Plates
Wed 3 May Macrame Feather
Wed 10 May Polymer Clay Mini Plants
Wed 17 May Glass Painting
Wed 31 May Mindfulness Tissue Paper Collage
Wed 7 Jun Flower Pots
Wed 14 Jun Tie Dye Waist Aprons
Wed 21 Jun Keyrings
Wed 28 Jun Decoupage Shell
Wed 5 Jul Pom Pom Animals
Wed 12 Jul Map Craft
Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.
Suitable for ages 60+ years.
Spring
Wed 11 Jan - 26 Apr (exc 8 Feb)
Summer Wed 3 May - 12 July (exc 24 May)
2pm - 3pm
£5 per session, including a cup of tea
These are blended sessions, where you can take part in person at Norden Farm or online via Zoom.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for this session please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
Led by Helen Ridley
Every two weeks on Thursday from 11am - 2pm you will join local artist Helen Ridley to explore your inner artist.
Helen will demonstrate a range of techniques and materials, from watercolour and gouache to pencils and pastels.
Each session will explore a different theme with a range of references to choose from, giving you the opportunity to explore and experiment.
The Studio is open to all abilities and you will need to bring your own materials, please see details listed below:
Materials
● Watercolour paints
● Watercolour brushes
● Gouache paints
● Coloured pencils
● Coloured Pastels
● Watercolour paper
● Sketchbook to plan compositions and colour palettes
Mixed media paper will be available
The Studio Art Club runs from Thur 8 Sept every 2 weeks on the dates below.
Spring
Thur 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr
11am - 2pm
£28 per session | £184 per 8 week term
Led by Amanda Schenk
Amanda Schenk is the visual artist behind Norden Farm's much-loved (and Instagrammed) glass corridor artwork in the school holidays. Join Amanda for this new drawing course, aimed at helping to create a sense of calm and relaxation through drawing patterns.
Suitable for all abilities, the workshops will focus on building confidence in your drawing abilities - concentrating on the soothing journey of the drawing experience, rather than the finished drawing.
In each session you'll explore how to produce different types of patterns in abstract drawings - looking at different designs each week.
You will need: paper (plain, no smaller than A5), lead pencil, eraser, sharpener, black fine liner or a pen. Optional is a black marker.
Spring
Tues 10 Jan, 7 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr
7.30pm - 8.45pm (online only)
£8 per class | £28 per 4 week course
Suitable for ages 18+ years
Led by Sophie Keaveney
Do you like to crochet or knit? Join us for a relaxed and creative get together over a drink of your choice.
Suitable for those with experience of crochet / knitting.
Please bring your own project along. Some spare needles and wool will be available.
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
If you are taking part online, you will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Spring
Wed 11 Jan, 1 Feb, 1 Mar, 5 Apr
7pm – 8.30pm
£6 including a drink from the bar | £3 online
Led by Kim Wright
This floral design course is for those who are new to floral design as well as those with some experience. I will guide the learners with demonstrations followed by practical work which will give them the confidence to develop their own floral designs each week. They will be shown how to prepare flowers and foliage, how to create gifts and how to decorate a party, home or just for a pleasure.
Additional Information
Please note that the materials are not provided. Learners will need to bring their own Floristry materials such as flowers, foliage, scissors, containers and some other materials each session to be able to create their own floral design. I will advise them each month.
Spring
Wed 25 Jan, Wed 22 Feb, Wed 22 Mar, Wed 26 Apr
11am - 1pm
£32 per session
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